Skip to main content
Contact Us (816) 421-6868
Dempsey Kingsland Osteen Logo
Contact Us for a Free Consultation (816) 421-6868
  • About Us
    • Leland F. Dempsey
    • Robert D. Kingsland, Jr.
    • Jason P. Osteen
    • Sydney Dowell
    • Diane Plantz, JD, MD
    • Legal Staff
    • Medical Team
    • Mission Statement
  • Practice Areas
    • Medical Malpractice Attorneys In Kansas City
      • Plastic Surgery Malpractice
    • Catastrophic Personal Injury
    • Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorney
  • Case Results
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Failure to Diagnose Spinal Epidural Abscess ($1,000,000 settlement)

Apr 9, 2018 | By Dempsey Kingsland Osteen | Read Time: < 1 minutes | Case Results

Our client, a 59-year-old male, experienced episodic, low back pain during a six month period. His pain, mild at the outset, gradually increased to excruciating. Symptoms included fever and chills. Client sought treatment from his primary care doctor and an orthopedist and twice was admitted into a hospital for evaluation. Nevertheless, client’s true diagnosis remained undetected. Finally, a specialist, who conducted an extensive review of client’s history, determined that client might have a spinal epidural abscess in the dura of his spine. Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) represents a neurosurgical emergency. SEA is a rare diagnosis. Medical literature states that it is seen in one in ten thousand admissions. Nevertheless, if an SEA is suspected an immediate MRI must be conducted to confirm the diagnosis and emergent, evacuation surgery must follow. Failure to emergently remove an SEA can lead to paralysis or death. No MRI or evacuation surgery occurred until client sustained irreversible neurologic injury which substantially impaired the client’s ability to walk.

Dempsey Kingsland Osteen action

We acquired all of client’s medical records for the previous 5 years. We retained a renowned neurologist, Maurice Victor, who is known as the “Father of Modern Neurology” to assist us in our review of the case. We also retained three other well-credentialed physicians to testify on client’s behalf. We filed suit against five physicians who participated in client’s treatment. We utilized the theme that client’s diagnosis was diagnosable and, in fact, was diagnosed but left untreated until client had sustained irreversible injury.

On the eve of trial, the case settled for $1,000,000 with all five physicians funding the settlement.

Author Photo
Dempsey Kingsland Osteen

The legal team at Dempsey Kingsland Osteen works to ensure that the injured are fully compensated for their lasting injuries from medical malpractice or other negligence. We push for comprehensive damages that anticipate the long-term needs of our clients, rather than taking a quick settlement out of convenience.

Rate this Post
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Loading...
Share:
  • Categories

    • Amputations
    • Auto Accident
    • Birth Injuries
    • Brain Injuries
    • Case Results
    • Construction Site Injuries
    • Distracted Driving
    • Failure to Diagnose
    • Failure to Monitor
    • Fall Injury Cases
    • Hospital Cases
    • Hospital Negligence
    • Medical Malpractice
    • News
    • Notable Cases
    • Nursing Home Abuse
    • Personal Injury
    • Wrongful Death
    • Contact Us * Required Fields

  • Schedule a free consultation * Required fields
  • Hidden

Dempsey Kingsland Osteen Logo
  • 1100 Main St
    #1860
    Kansas City, MO 64105
    Map & Directions

    Office Hours:
    M-F: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Sat: Closed
    Sun: Closed

816-421-6868

  • Home
  • Firm Overview
  • Practice Areas
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • ©2023 Dempsey Kingsland Osteen
  •  | All Rights Reserved
  •  | Sitemap
Site By:
  • Contact Us for a Consultation Schedule your free consultation.

Accessibility Toolbar

  • Powered with favoriteLove by Codenroll